Scouts honor Wheeler for her contributions to the community

For decades, Joann Wheeler and her late husband, Harold, have been assisting communities in the Somerset area.

It was her turn to receive Thursday night, however, as she was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award at the 2008 Judge Thomas Lansberry Memorial Dinner.

Approximately 270 guests attended the annual event, which was held at the Indian Lake Resort. Proceeds went to the Penn Wood’s Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Wheeler, a board member of the Children’s Aid Home Society, Somerset Welfare League and the Somerset Hospital, said that it was her husband’s dream of starting a business back in 1960 that made their contributions possible.

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“Sometimes people forget where they come from and where they’re going,” she said. “It’s very, very important to support the community.”

Now the chairwoman of Wheeler Bros. Inc., she shrugged off the attention.

“My husband was very instrumental (in setting up the charities),” she said. “I was just there helping along.”

She thanked her children and grandchildren, as well as members of her company. “Our family has very good employees,” she said.

Dinner chairman Bruce Hottle said he was grateful for Wheeler and her family’s contributions.

“We’re pleased she could be here tonight to receive this honor,” he said.

Also honored at the event were a few Boy Scouts. Brad Lavan was given the Merit Award for his first aid work on his grandmother, who had fallen and injured her knee.

Lavan’s mother, Patty, said her son lives the Boy Scout Oath.

“You can say you love your children, but to really like who they are is so special,” she said.

Cory Hart was honored for achieving Eagle Scout status. He gave a speech of approximately 10 minutes about his experiences with the organization and drew a standing ovation.

Michele Brenneman, event organizer and a member of the dinner’s steering committee, said she was thrilled by the turnout. “(The attendees) love the scouting program, believe in the scouting program and support the scouting program.”

Wheeler said charities alone were not the only way she has worked.

“It’s about helping anybody who has a problem, whether it’s an employee, a friend or just someone you heard about,” she said. “It’s about giving.”